Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout (27) points to the stands after hitting a three-run home run off of Texas Rangers starting pitcher Colby Lewis that scored Kole Calhoun, left, and Hank Conger, right, in the third inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 10, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

The frustrating aspect of the Angels’ season is something out of their control: Despite posting the second-best record of any team prior to the All-Star break, the Angels (56-37) are in second place in their own division. That’s because the Oakland A’s (58-36) are beating everyone. Still, the club is in a good place (whether that’s Los Angeles or Anaheim). The Angels can finish 34-35 and still win 90 games. Even a drop-off to .500 baseball would be a surprise at this point. They’re 18-4 since veteran DH Raul Ibanez was released, and have scored more runs than any team in baseball. Fans are returning after a two-year lull (average attendance: 38,000) and are likely to see the Angels’ four-year playoff drought end in October. The second half should be an exercise in fine-tuning the roster, staying healthy, and watching Mike Trout continue to chase baseball history.

OFFENSE: A+

Start with Trout’s 22 home runs, the marked improvements from Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, and the steady contributions from all-star Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick, Kole Calhoun and rookie C.J. Cron. That only scratches the surface of the Angels’ depth. Grant Green (batting .324) and Efren Navarro (.317) have spent most of the season in the minor leagues because the 25-man roster is so stacked. Measured by speed, power, or the ability to make contact, the Angels’ offense is their greatest position of strength. Will GM Jerry Dipoto use this depth to upgrade his pitching staff, or simply to pound teams into submission into October?

STARTING PITCHING: B-

The top of the Angels’ rotation looks like a changing of the guard. Garrett Richards (11-2, 2.55 ERA) has supplanted Jered Weaver (10-6, 3.45 ERA) as the staff ace and would be in the Cy Young Award conversation if the season ended today. The rest of the rotation is full of question marks. What happened to C.J. Wilson? Is Matt Shoemaker’s 7-2 record a fluke? Do you trust Tyler Skaggs or Hector Santiago to start a playoff game? This rotation is better than last year’s (their 3.81 ERA is third in the American League) but still isn’t on par with possible playoff foes Oakland and Detroit.

RELIEF PITCHING: D+

The Angels have already used 28 pitchers this season, one shy of a franchise record. The bullpen is a major work in progress but the progress is at least visible. Jason Grilli, acquired in a trade for Ernesto Frieri, has pitched well in eight games as an Angel. Sean Burnett never got healthy but Joe Thatcher has stepped in as the situational lefty. Joe Smith, Kevin Jepsen and rookie Mike Morin have earned the right to close games. The most pressing personnel needs have already been addressed — unless Dipoto wants someone with more than 49 career saves to handle the ninth inning. As it stands, Grilli is the most experienced closer on the roster.

DEFENSE: B-

The Angels rarely win games with their defense but it doesn’t cost them often, either. Using mostly the same personnel as last year, a handful of changes have made a positive difference. Pujols is healthier. Hamilton has looked more comfortable in left field than right. Trout is among the game’s most exciting center fielders so — brilliant idea — he moved back to center. Second baseman Howie Kendrick and shortstop Erick Aybar are a reliable double-play combination. The Angels’ shifts work more often than not, which helps mask some shortcomings. Give catcher Hank Conger extra credit for his pitch-framing ability.

MANAGER/COACHES: A-

Remember when it looked inevitable that either Mike Scioscia or Dipoto would be fired? Hard to believe that was less than a year ago. Scioscia has been dealt an interesting hand. Managing the bullpen hasn’t been easy, while even a blindfolded monkey could scribble a decent lineup card every night. Credit the skipper for his progressive attitude toward shifting and for relenting in the decision to release Ibanez. That’s one reason the Angels lead the majors in average (.306), runs (105) and slugging (.472) since June 25. Another: That’s the date hitting coach Don Baylor returned from femur surgery.

INTANGIBLES: A-

Winning breeds chemistry. So does an influx of players who will do whatever it takes to stay in the major leagues (just think of all those pitchers). Clearly defined roles and batting order positions help, too. The Angels have all of these. Not coincidentally, the clubhouse seems a bit happier than it’s been the past two years. Baylor’s broken leg could have been a terrible omen on opening day; instead it became a rallying point.

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